The European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) continues to force Apple to make changes in a transition process that has already lasted several months. The changes began with iOS 17.4, allowing third-party app stores to be installed and the default web browser to be changed. Now, in a new batch of options coming to iOS 18, Apple has confirmed that more native apps like the App Store or Messages can be removed, in addition to being able to configure many more default apps to avoid using Apple’s own native apps. We explain all the details below.
More fuel on the grill in the EU: Apple to add new changes in iOS 18
Third-party app stores are just one of the many features that Apple has introduced in the European Union to its iOS and iPadOS ecosystem to comply with the Digital Markets Act. Some consequences of these changes are the arrival of games like Fortnite that were removed from the App Store for not complying with the regulations of the official Apple Store that arrived thanks to the Epic Games Store.
Apple’s bilateral conversation with the European Commission ended with a new batch of features and options to continue to comply with the LMD. This is what Apple reported through a statement on its official website intended for developers. Among the main changes that we will see in iOS 18 will be changes to the default browser selection screen, other default apps or removal of native apps of iOS and iPadOS.
Starting with the default web browser selection screen, Apple will throw screen to warn user that they can change default browser when entering Safari and set it as your default browser. Additionally, dozens of conditions have been included that the user must meet in order to exit this screen and never see it again. For example, before confirming that you want Safari to be your default browser, scroll through all the available options. However, this screen will appear once per device and not once per user.
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Beyond these options, Apple will also add new changes around the default applications in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18. A new section will be included in the Settings app where we can manage the default apps for each of the common actions within the operating system (mail, calls, messages, etc.). You can choose apps for a large number of topics: phone, password manager, spam filters for calls, keyboards, app store, contactless payments, etc.
Additionally, Apple announced that Navigation and translation apps will be included in spring 2025. Finally, they announced that later this year, perhaps with a possible new update to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, EU users will be able to remove native apps: App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari. These apps can be reinstalled via the Settings app. The only ones that cannot be deleted will be Settings and Phone.
